Social ecology of the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)

Abstract

A population's social system influences its mating patterns, the spatial and temporal distribution of individuals, their dispersal, and consequently the distribution of alleles, thereby affecting its evolutionary trajectory. There are also important implications for species management and conservation if degradation of social relationships due to anthropogenic environmental alteration result in negative fitness consequences. The objectives of this thesis were to (1) examine whether associations among female northern long-eared bats ( Myotis septentrionalis ) at maternity roosts were random or social in nature and; (2) examine variation in tree and forest features selected by individuals as maternity roosts. Maternity roosts were comprised of non-randomly assorting social groups with some individuals remaining associated for the entire roosting season. Roost tree selection by bats varied with reproductive periods. During the lactation period bats selected roosts high in tall trees in areas with a low tree density and low canopy cover relative to pre- and post-lactation periods.